Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

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  Great value - 2003 Chevrolet Impala
  By WC4R - February 18 - 1:40 pm

  Bought as a family car. Lots of room and great trunk. The 3.8L V6 was well proven and it has been great (skip the 3.4L). I got the fully loaded sport package then upgraded it with police alternator, SLP rocker arms, SLP dual exhaust, K&N intake, slotted brake rotors & performance pads, and tuned ECM (LSX model). Have been a fanatic about maintenance & fluid changes (synthetic lubricants everywhere). No trouble except for clogged cat at 70K. At 100K it still runs and looks like new. Plan to keep it to 150K miles.

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  Great little car - 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier
  By Nan - February 18 - 11:35 am

  Bought this due to divorce and great choice. Gas mileage is terrific especially when gas was over $3/gal, so little spent on that. Normal wear. Just oil changes and new tires and brake pads in year 5. Easy to park in those tight places. No one wants to steal it cuz its plain-I like that!

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  Chevy Lumina - 1996 Chevrolet Corsica
  By John - February 18 - 7:26 am

  The 1996 Chevy Lumina is an extremely reliable car. We have had our Lumina for almost a year now and have had only minor problems. We drive from lower Michigan to Northern Michigan almost every weekend- even in the snow- and it has gotten us there and back many times now, safely. It is a great car for those who need something cheaper, but reliable transportation.

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  Great vehicle all around!!! - 2001 Chevrolet Prizm
  By Ralph - February 18 - 2:18 am

  Well its my second one the first Prizm I owned I bought in 97 with 102K miles I finally passed it on to my kid brother in 03 with 230k miles and its still driving today. My 01 Prizm has 255k miles on it and still runs like new, these cars are amazing they dont look like much but they are great. The thing I love the most is with $20 bucks of gas you can run around town all week. They have great power and acceleration,no timing belt, however oil is very important to these cars!

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  Done with GM - 2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By Chad R, - February 17 - 10:09 pm

  When it was 2 weeks old had the radio replaced for eating a CD. At 37K mile mark I had a noise in the rear. Dealer tore apart the rear end and it was in pieces.(metal fatigue) Also while in had lumbar motor replaced(it burned out after using it 3 times).. $3000 to fix both. 50K mark..Drivers side window wont seal at high speeds (interstate) when putting window up. 44K mark fuel computer chip fail. Had towed and dealer had to replace computer chip and fix the fuel system... $1600 fix. at 67K mark RPM gauge failed. Drivers side window wont seal at high speeds(interstate) when putting window up. Typical USA vehicle. 73K on it now and Im trying to dump before my wallet goes dry

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  Road trip - 2002 Chevrolet Venture
  By Road trip - February 17 - 10:06 pm

  Purchased new, Made several trips to the east coast and down south. Gas mileage around town about 14-15 and on highway loaded with gear and 4 passengers got around 19. Replaced intake gaskets twice, cooling fan ,rack and pinion, fuel sensor were replaced under extended warranty, replaced myself a/c condenser, water pump, motor supports, rear wheel cylinders 02 sensor. Kept it well maintained. Was totaled out last month. Side air bag did it’s job protecting the wife. If you take care of both they will take care of you. The family will miss the van.

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  nice ride - 2008 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By steve - February 17 - 8:59 pm

  love the car great in snow... would buy again

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  Decent Car - 2003 Chevrolet Venture
  By ZeusCharles - February 17 - 8:11 pm

  Bought this car new. Now has 112,000 miles on it. Only major repair was the manifold gasket, but GM covered this. Outside of normal maintenance, no other issues. Steady performer and still idles as smooth as when bought. I expect to run this to 200,000 miles.

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  Piece of Junk - 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt
  By Dissatisfied in AZ - February 17 - 7:39 pm

  This car is a piece of junk! Chevy knows absolutely nothing about design and style. It is way over priced. This is like a 10k econo car and they have nerve to sell for way over that. If you live in AZ, this car is definitely junk. It was 75 degrees out today and had to use the AC and it totally dogged out not to mention the ac is cool at best. It will never make it thru the summer. hopefully it will be a lemon so i can get something else that Im not embarrassed to be seen in and is comfortable and affordable. This car should not be allowed on the market. Oh yeah, lets not forget the totally cheesy interior. I think the 1972 Ford Pinto did better than this one! Or the AMC Gremlin.

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  Couldnt Get BETTER! - 1999 Chevrolet Tahoe
  By SkiGuy1982 - February 17 - 7:33 pm

  Traded a 2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition for this 99 Tahoe. WOW! Had 28k on it when I got it, and now has 145k. In that time, Tires (once) Front Pads (Once) Intake Gaskets (at 100k, Anyone surprised) battery (this winter) and thats it. I run it hard - Heavy trailers, High speed long distance cruises (80+) and its never been a problem. Just replaced a headlamp. I have NO complaints at all. She just runs. The mileage has been incredible to almost unbelievable. 20mpg cruising at 75. It really sucks it up in town at 7mpg though... Locking Differential and manual transfer case are really nice.